A Million Army Military Volunteers Turned Away: Why?

I know of a man who might hold a unique record in the US--in the military four times; once on active duty, two times in the national guard and one time in ROTC. He was honorably discharged each time. [He did not complete ROTC because of a document disagreement.]

He served in URAREUR, and SETAF [US Army, Europe and Southern European Task Force, Italy]. He can outshoot 50% of the soldiers on active duty, last held the rank of Sergeant, was a battalion executive officer driver and battalion information NCO photographer and supply sergeant. Was also TDY Germany for mechanics training, and lastly, taught the use of the M79 grenade launcher and how to safely drive the newer jeeppredecessor to the Humvee.

He has been a college instructor for decades part-time and holds different licenses and certifications. He has been rejected from returning to the military for one reason only; When honorably discharged from the national guard service, any age waivers available died. He is over age 45 now and that permits the US Army to legally discriminate against him EVEN though other soldiers who are his age are being called back because They were officers.

There are over 1,000,000 such soldiers who are willing to help out in Iraq and use their extensive military experience and maturity but Washington says no. Interestingly, the department of defense just raised their oldest you can enter age from 35 to 42.

By the way, the soldier identified above is this article's author.